Portable communications device

ABSTRACT

A portable communications device having a base that can be worn on the user&#39;s wrist, a wireless earpiece that can be concealed when worn, and a novel audio link that allows the earpiece to communicate with the base. Each audio link is programmed to communicate with any base unit of the present invention but with only one earpiece. The audio links and earpieces can be packaged and sold together, and the base units can be packaged and sold separately. The base includes a novel keypad having keys that are positioned around the periphery of the base in a sequence which matches that used on old rotary dial phones and which allows the user to access the keys without having to look at them. The earpiece includes the microphone into which the user talks. The microphone can easily detect and transmit the user&#39;s voice, yet is mostly concealed from passersby. Thus, the user can use the portable communications device while conducting other activities but without making it obvious to observers that he or she is using the device.

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/404,160, filed Apr. 1, 2003, the complete disclosure of which ishereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alexander Graham Bell was awarded U.S. Pat. No. 174,465 for a telephonein 1876. Over the next century, telephones became smaller and easier tooperate. Cellular phones originated in 1947, when researchers looked atcrude mobile (car) phones and realized that by using small cells (rangeof service area) and reusing frequencies they could increase the trafficcapacity of mobile phones. By 1987, cellular telephone subscribersexceeded one million. Personal Communication Services (PCS) differ fromcellular in that they use a different radio frequency and generally useall-digital technology for transmission and reception. Portablecommunications devices continue to improve.

Notwithstanding these improvements, however, the most popular portabletelephones have several drawbacks, especially if the user is using thedevice while conducting other activities. For example, using a cellularphone when operating a motor vehicle can be dangerously distracting.Most cellular phones require one hand of the user to hold the phoneclose to the user's face and ear. Further, when dialing the number oranswering the phone, the user must use his or her sight to identifyspecific buttons to be pressed to answer or place the call, whicheverthe case may be.

Furthermore, modem telephones have become sufficiently portable that“multi-tasking” while talking on the phone has become desirable andcommonplace. Various activities can be conducted while talking on thephone, such as cooking, cleaning, driving, walking the dog and sportsactivities, to name just a few. However, having to hold the phonehinders most of these activities. Further, it is desirable to increasethe number and type of activities that can be easily accomplished whiletalking on the phone.

It is known in the art to provide a wrist carried telephone that isoperable without removal from the user's wrist and examples of the sameare disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,414 (Alameh et al.), U.S. Pat. No.6,192,253 (Charlier et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,149 (Weatherill).These patents also disclose earpieces that are worn by the user toobviate the need to hold the handset next to one's head. U.S. Pat. No.6,278,873 (Itakura et al.) discloses a wristwatch-type communicationdevice suitable for use in a radio paging receiver. U.S. Pat. No.6,314,184 (Fernandez-Martinez) discloses a bracelet telephone thatincludes a terminal mounted to a bracelet. A ring shaped part couples toone finger of the user and supports an earphone connected by an electriccable. U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,757 (Carroll et al.) discloses awristwatch-type device with a retractable earbud and a microphone.

One disadvantage of the devices disclosed above is that the earpiece maybecome lost or broken, thereby requiring the user to replace the entiredevice. Such an approach is undesirably expensive and wasteful if thebase unit is still operable. Another disadvantage of the above-noteddevices is that their keypads are often too small for average sizedfingers to operate efficiently and are arranged in an awkward locationon the devices. The above-described devices also suffer from thedrawback that they are not entirely “hands-free.” For example, many ofthe earpieces disclosed above must be wired to the main unit. Theconnecting wires may become tangled or interfere with the user'smovement.

Many modern cellular or portable phones are now configured withheadsets. The advantage of these headsets, of course, is that they freeup the user's hands to accomplish other tasks. While practical, however,these headsets are perceived by many users as unsightly, and many usersfeel awkward or even foolish when wearing them in public.

It is desirable to have an improved portable communications device thatovercomes all of the drawbacks noted above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable communications device having abase that can be worn on the user's wrist, a wireless earpiece that canbe concealed when worn, and a novel audio link that allows the earpieceto communicate with the base. Each audio link is programmed tocommunicate with any base unit of the present invention but with onlyone earpiece. As a packaging concept, the audio links and earpieces canbe packaged and sold together, and the base units are sold separately.Thus, the present invention offers modular capabilities. If an earpieceis lost, the user simply purchases another earpiece along with a newaudio link, rather than having to replace the entire unit.

Devices in accordance with the present invention may be used whileperforming most tasks without interference. Sudden or abrupt movementsdo not present a problem. Thus, sports such as basketball, golf,weightlifting and the like can all be easily performed while usingdevices in accordance with the present invention.

In one form thereof, the present invention provides a portablecommunications device. The device includes a base having a viewingwindow, a port and a keypad. An earpiece is associated with the base. Anaudio link is detachably received in the port and the audio linkcommunicably links the earpiece to the base when the audio link isinstalled in the port.

In a preferred form, the base of the communications device includes acamera. The camera can take the picture of the person talking into thedevice and transmit the same to the display of another user usinganother device. The other device can be in accordance with the presentinvention or any other telephone.

In another preferred form, the keypad of the communications device isformed of a series of keys disposed about the periphery of the base.More preferably, the keys are positioned in the sequence 0, *, 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, # when read sequentially around the periphery of thebase. This matches the key sequence used on old rotary dial phones andserves a familiar sequence of numbers that users can access by feelwithout having to look at the numbers. Furthermore, as noted above, manyprior art wristwatch-type communications devices have a rectangulararray of keys that are too small to conveniently access by average sizefingers. By placing the keys around the outside periphery of the baseunit, the keys can be formed larger and are thus more easily accessibleand usable without looking at them.

In another preferred form, the communications device further includes anaccessory that can be connected to the base. In one embodiment, theaccessory is a charger to which the base can be docked and which can beinserted into a cigarette lighter (adapter) of an automobile. Morepreferably, the base includes an auxiliary key pad or even a keyboardthat can be used in parallel with or in lieu of the keys provided on thebase. In another embodiment, the accessory can be configured to beinserted into a standard 120 VAC electrical outlet.

Another key advantage of the present invention is that the earpieceincludes both the speaker that transmits sound to the user and themicrophone that transmits the sound of the user's voice to the base,which in turn transmits a signal to another device. On the other hand,the circuitry that operates the device is housed in the base, such thatthe earpiece can be made small and inconspicuous. When the earpiece isworn, the microphone extends slightly downward and forward of the user'sear lobe, which for the average user represents a distance of only 4-5inches to the center of the user's mouth. Thus the microphone can easilypick up the user's voice from this distance, yet is not easilydetectable by passersby. Thus, a user may be communicating with a deviceaccording to the present invention while conducting other activities.Yet, there are no unsightly headsets or other items that may make theuser feel uncomfortable using the device in a public setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other advantages of the present invention, andthe manner of obtaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base unit in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, illustrating an audio link explodedaway from the base;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a circuit board that is housed centrally in thebase unit of FIG. 1 and also illustrates the audio link locked intoplace within the base;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the base unit of FIG. 1 which illustratesdual batteries and compartments therefore;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the base shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an accessory in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention which shows a base unit like that shown in FIG.1 that can be docked to the accessory;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an accessory in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an earpiece in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship tothe user's ear (shown in phantom) when worn;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the base shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top views illustrating the packaging concept inaccordance with the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, the communications device 10 of onepreferred embodiment includes base 20 and audio link 22 that isdetachably mountable in port 24 and earpiece 52 (see FIG. 7). Base 20includes a face 25 on which camera 26 and display window 28 are providedas shown. Optionally, a cover that flips open (not shown) may beprovided for face 25. Base 20 also includes a bezel 30 which is angledrelative to face 25 and on which is provided a keypad 32 made up ofseveral keys 34 disposed about the periphery of base 20. Conveniently,keys 34 are positioned on bezel 30 in the sequence 0, *, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, # when read sequentially. This sequence is the same asprovided on older rotary telephones and is familiar to many users.Alternatively, the keys may be arranged in any of a variety ofsequences. By placing the keys 34 on the angled bezel 30 at the outsideperiphery of base 20, the size of keys 34 is maximized so that in turnthe user may easily access them by feel. The angle on which keys 34 arepositioned also helps in this regard. Base 20 also includes a wristband36 as is known in the art. Auxiliary keys 38 and 40 are provided on theside of base 20 and can perform any number of functions to operate theportable communications device as required.

Turning now to FIG. 2, base 20 includes in the illustrated embodiment amiddle section 42 disposed centrally in base 20. Section 24 includes asmall circuit board 44 that includes various integrated circuit (IC)chips 46 and other componentry 48 such as resistors, capacitors and thelike. Port 24 leads to a cutout section 50 in board 44 to communicablyreceive audio link 22. The engagement of audio link 22 into cutout 50can be a snap-fit engagement as is known in the art, such that audiolink 22 is detachably mountable into port 24. Once engaged with board44, audio link 22 allows the base 20 to communicate with earpiece 52(see FIG. 7) as described in more detail below. A smaller plate 54 isconnected to board 44 and includes sockets 56 that receive legs (notshown) from camera 26, such that camera 26 can communicate its signal toboard 44.

With reference to FIG. 3, the bottom of base 20 includes dualcompartments 58 that receive batteries 60. The batteries may beconfigured in series to provide power to the portable device or may beconfigured such that one battery serves as a back-up. When the firstbattery expires, the display 28 may illuminate a signal so that the userknows to replace it. Meanwhile, the portable device 10 may be operatedwith the back-up battery, thereby avoiding the user not being able tooperate the device when the first battery expires.

FIG. 5 illustrates an accessory 60 to which base 20 may be docked.Accessory 60 includes a male connector 62 that is matingly anddetachably received in opening 64 formed at the bottom of base 20.Accessory 20 includes an auxiliary keypad 66 which could be arranged asa standard keyboard for a portable personal computer. Keypad 66 can beconfigured with larger keys than base 20 and is therefore easier tooperate, especially when in a vehicle. Accessory 60 also includesadaptor plug 68 which fits into a standard cigarette lighter oraccessory outlet in an automobile. Neck 70 is illustrated as a flexiblemember that can be bent in all directions and expanded about itslongitudinal axis by pulling on it, thereby allowing the user of device10 to position base 20 optimally in its particular surroundings.

Turning now to FIG. 6, accessory 72 includes a receptacle section 74which allows base 20 (shown in phantom) to be docked thereto in the samefashion described above with reference to FIG. 5. Accessory 72 isdesired for rechargeable base units 20. Accessory 72 may be plugged intoa wall outlet 76 which will cause base 20 to recharge.

With reference to FIG. 7, a novel earpiece 52 of an embodiment o thepresent invention can be appreciated. Earpiece 52 includes a flexiblehousing 78 that fits around the back of the user's ear 80 (shown inphantom). Housing 78 should fit comfortably behind the user's ear, muchlike a large hearing aid. Housing 78 is preferably stuffed with softfoam or other material to give it a soft, comfortable feel. It is alsodesirable to form the outer surface of housing 78 with a material thatis comfortable when worn against the skin and there are a wide varietyof materials that perform suitably in this regard, such as cotton orsynthetic cloth, plastics, rubber, and the like. A small battery 82 isprovided in housing 78 and powers microphone 84 and speaker 86, whichare described in more detail below.

Wire 88 connects speaker 86 to housing 78 and allows sufficientflexibility such that the user may position speaker 86 behind his or hertragus 90 of ear 80, thereby at least partially concealing speaker 86.Wire 88 may be made up of a metallic core around which is wrapped softmaterial that feels smooth to the skin and is thus comfortable to thewearer. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many suitablematerials for wire 88. Advantageously, earpiece 52, when worn by theuser, is almost totally concealed. Only a portion of the speaker 86projects beyond the user's tragus 90 and the microphone extends onlyslightly beyond the user's ear lobe (lobule) 92.

One advantage of the embodiments incorporating the present inventionrelates to the specific means the earpieces 52 are configured tocommunicate with the audio links 22 and the packaging of the same. Asshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, base 20 is packaged in package 100 whereasaudio link 22 and earpiece 52 are packaged together in package 102,separate from package 100. In the illustrated embodiment, audio link 22is programmed or configured to only communicate the earpiece 52, withwhich it is packaged. This can be done by selecting a specific frequencyor coding scheme known in the art. On the other hand, audio link 22 cancommunicate with any base 20 manufactured in accordance with theillustrated embodiment. Optionally, earpiece 52 may be configured with asmall pager button that when depressed, communicates a signal to audiolink 22, which in turn causes an audible signal to be emitted from base20 when audio link 22 is inserted therein. A misplaced base 20 canthereby be easily located.

Thus, FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a method of manufacturing and packagingportable communications devices 10 from a plurality of bases 20, aplurality of earpieces 52, and a plurality of audio links 22, any one ofthe plurality of audio links being detachably mountable to any one ofthe plurality of bases. The method includes the steps of first selectinga first audio link 22 from the plurality of audio links and selecting afirst earpiece 52 from the plurality of earpieces 52. As noted above,the first audio link 22 is programmed to communicate with all bases 20when mounted thereto. One or both of the first earpiece 52 and the firstaudio link 22 are programmed such that the first earpiece 52 iscommunicably linked to the first audio link 22, but cannot communicatewith any other audio link 22. The previous steps are then repeated forthe remainder of the plurality of audio links and earpieces, therebygenerating a plurality of pairs of associated earpieces and audio links(package 102). Again, the bases 20 are packaged separately in package100. Thus, one can combine any package 102 with any package 100 toproduce an activated portable communications device 10, as shown withreference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

While a preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the presentinvention has been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application isintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A portable communications device, comprising: a base having a viewingwindow, a port and a keypad; an earpiece associated with said base; andan audio link detachably received in said port, said audio linkcommunicably linking said earpiece to said base when said audio link isinstalled in said port.
 2. The communications device of claim 1, whereinsaid base further comprises a camera.
 3. The communications device ofclaim 1, wherein said keypad comprises a series of keys disposed aboutthe periphery of said base.
 4. The communications device of claim 3,wherein said keys are positioned in the sequence 0, *, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, # when read sequentially around the periphery of said base. 5.The communications device of claim 1, further comprising a wristbandattached to said base.
 6. The communications device of claim 1, furthercomprising an accessory connected to said base.
 7. The communicationsdevice of claim 6, wherein said accessory comprises a battery charger.8. The communications device of claim 6, wherein said accessorycomprises an auxiliary keypad.
 9. The communications device of claim 6,wherein said accessory mates with one of an auto cigarette lighter andan electrical outlet.
 10. The communications device of claim 1, whereinsaid earpiece comprises a speaker and a microphone.